Steve came home another late night, it was nearing 11pm. He had a huge case that was working him hard. He got off the elevator and could hear the voices of his neighbors. They were highly irritating, every other night, it seems that they were arguing and fighting. It was mostly the guy yelling, but occasionally he would hear the woman yell back to stop or calm down.. He  was pretty sure, it was some kind of domestic abuse going on but he didn't want to get involved.  It wasn't his place. He walked down the hall and put his key in the door hoping that he can get to the TV and drown out the argument. If it wasn't the voices that would drive him mad, it would be the sound of glass constantly breaking. He figured he could catch the Dodgers game that he missed. He checked his DVR and played it. It wasn't long before the noise died down and the only sound he could hear was the game. Steve wasted no time, falling asleep as the Dodgers hit their third home run.

One minute his eyes were closed and he was listening to the game and the next, his eyes were opening to the sun beaming in through the half opened blinds. He stretched out and checked the time. It was 6:00. He quickly hopped up and threw on some clothes. He wanted to catch his morning run before he had to go to work. He only had an hour and a half. He grabbed his keys and shut the door, thankful for slam lock. Taking his normal route, he put his headphones in and started running, he ran to the East River. He was trying to cut his run time by 1 minute, so far he was at a 7-minute mile. He took a slight break once he arrived at the river, he was sweating and glistening as the sun rose. It was his favorite sight. It just reminded him more of why he loved his city so much. He checked the time and started off again on his run. 7 minutes later, he was back at his building. He slowed his pace and saw the fiery redhead, Natasha leaving with a guy.

"Natasha?" Both her and the man turned their head to look at Steve.

"Steve? Hi." She said surprised.

"What're you doing here?"

"I live here."

"Oh me too. I never noticed that." He lightly chuckled. "Guess that'll make it easier to get my shirt." He continued not noticing how she tensed.

"And you are?" Bruce interrupted.

"Oh, I'm Steve Rogers."

"Mhmm. Alright, well we have to go. Come on Nat." He said putting his arm around her and pulling her into him.

She just nodded and gave Steve a small goodbye.

"Bye Natasha." He threw a small smile before walking in. He couldn't believe it. One, she had a boyfriend and two she lived in his building and he never noticed her before. He glanced back at them and couldn't help but feel something was off. Maybe it was just the surprise of seeing her so he ignored the nagging feeling.

Doing his normal, routine, he got ready for work. He took a shower while Alexa played his morning playlist. At 7:30, his reminder went off letting him know, he needed to leave soon. He grabbed his briefcase and went to work.

He made it at his usual time and was greeted by Wanda again.

"Morning Stevie."

"Morning Wanda."

"Any messages?"

"Yes, just one from Natasha. She said that your shirt was ready for pick up and she could drop it off or give it to you later at home."

"Alright, I'll give her a call."

Wanda raised her eyebrow waiting for him to address the home portion of the call. He sighed giving in. "I found out that we actually live in the same building today."

"Wow what're the odds."

"I know it was crazy."

"Maybe it's a match made in heaven. First the coffee, now your buildings."

"Doubt it. She has a boyfriend. Met him this morning."

"Oh damn. Well you never know, people break up." Wanda shrugged before focusing on the documents on her screen. "Oh by the way, what time is Pepper's birthday party Saturday?"

"Uh.. its at..7. I believe, but you know how Tony is. He will most likely make it an all night event so I'm sure it won't matter what time you actually arrive. I'll probably get there round 8."

"Alright. I'll meet you there."

"Ok."

Steve went into his office and made it his business to call Natasha. Her phone rang three times before she picked up.

"Hello"

"Hey Natasha. It's Steve."

"Hey Steve, how are you?"

"Good and you?"

"Good." She sounded much better over the phone than she did earlier.

"I got your message and you can just give me the shirt at the apartment. That way you don't have to take the extra trip."

"Ok"

"I'll text you the apartment number. I should be home around 7 tonight."

"Alright sounds good, see you then."

They hung up, both smiling on opposite ends.

Natasha was working steadily while Maria worked with a young girl, Samantha, on her homework. The other volunteers were out in the common room playing games and doing mind exercises with the other kids. Natasha enjoyed coming to work and seeing all the kids getting the help and attention they needed. It reminded her of what she wish she would've had when she was younger. She wonders how her mother would feel about everything she has accomplished and is going through. Would she proud? Her thoughts wandered but she tried not to let it get to her too much. It was nearing the end of the work day and she still needed to pick up Steve's shirt before the dry cleaners closed.

"Hey Maria. I'm about to go."

"Ok, I'll lock up."

"Alright Thanks."

Natasha finally got Steves text and her heart leaped. 16A. He was literally her neighbor. The mystery person who had finally moved in next door a couple weeks ago. She had saw his stuff one day but never saw him at least not that she remembers. She thought about how close they were and never met, until she thought just how close they were. Their proximity also meant that he has probably heard every argument her and Bruce have had. She immediately felt ashamed and embarrassed. After this morning, she's hoping Bruce won't be there. They didn't live together, but he spent enough time at her place to feel like he did. Although, some nights he didn't come over, he had a key and often helped himself into her place whenever he chose to. She knew that Bruce would want to discuss the shirt incident when she got home. Thankfully, he was never one to really make a scene in public, so they hadn't addressed it. He just said they'd talk later, which meant he had time to fester and conjure up ideas of what he think could be happening especially since the news of them being neighbors was out in the open now, regardless of the fact that neither knew.

Natasha rounded the corner right at 7:20 and grabbed the white button up from the older cleaner lady. Thanking her before leaving. She got off the elevator and glanced at Steve's door. He probably just got home but she would go over in 30 minutes to give him time  to change and relax before bothering him.

Soon enough she was inside her own apartment, the smell of alcohol hit her. She found Bruce sitting on the couch with pills and an open bottle of vodka, Nat's favorite.

"Hi Bruce." She greeted lightly. He looked at her, letting his eyes fall to the crisp white shirt covered with the clear plastic bag.

"That's his huh?"

"Um yes. I just picked it up."

"Why did you have his shirt Natasha?"

"About a week ago, I was going to work and the train jerked. I had coffee in my hand, some spilled on him." She opted to leave out the fact that she slipped into his lap. "I told him I'd pay for it to get cleaned."

"Is that the story you had time to come up with? You and this dude randomly meet on the train and all of a sudden you guys are neighbors." He exaggerates and points out how unrealistic is sounded regardless of it being the truth.

"Bruce I'm telling the truth. It's just a coincidence." Nat put the shirt on the chair near the door and walked closer to him. "I promise."

"YOU THINK I'M STUPID? I'M A SCIENTIST. THERES NO SUCH THING AS COINCIDENCE." He yelled standing up.

"Bruce, I don't know what you want me to say, I'm telling you what happened."

"YOU'RE LYING. DAMN WHY CANT YOU TELL THE TRUTH FOR ONCE? IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?" He grabbed the bottle of Vodka that stood upright on the wooden table, taking another swig. "You're fucking him aren't you?"

"NO, OF COURSE NOT." Nat quickly denied.

"DON'T LIE TO ME DAMNIT." With the slip of his hand, the bottle hit the wall nearly missing her head. She ducked and walked backwards to avoid possibly getting hurt.

"Bruce, please." Tears quickly filling her eyes. " I'd never do that." Her hands shaking as fear took over her body.

"YOU BETTER NOT BE. OR WE'LL HAVE PROBLEMS. UNDERSTAND?" He stared hard waiting for her response.

"Yes, I understand."

"Good." He turned on his heels and went to the bedroom, leaving the broken glass and alcohol on the ground. She let out a shaky breath she had been holding. Nat broke down in her spot, silently crying. Her heart hurt so bad. She couldn't do it anymore, she needed to find a way out. Her tears shed until there was nothing left. Her head was killing her but she knew she still had to bring Steve his clothes. She went into her bathroom avoiding Bruce and looked in the mirror. Her eyes were bloodshot. She needed to give herself time to get her face back to normal. She cleaned up the glass and and alcohol which took about 10 minutes. She washed a few dishes and figured that was enough time to get her eyes back to the white they should be. She could hear Bruce snoring and took the chance to slip out with Steve's shirt. It was now 8:23 and she wanted to go before it got too late.

Knock Knock Knock

Natasha could hear shuffling behind the door before she was greeted with Steve's golden face.

To say the least, he was happy to see her.

"Hey Natasha."

"Hey, as promised." She said handing him his shirt.

"Thank you" He said. "Much appreciated. It's practically a brand new shirt."

"Good, I'm glad." She smiled softly. Steve looked at her quizzically and for a second she feels hesitant. She wonders if he sees a mark, a scar or maybe heard the argument.

"You know, it's crazy we live in the same building and never noticed. I would've at least remembered you seeing as how i see you on the train a lot."

"You would think. Small world."

"Yea, the smallest. You live close?" Steve asked.

"Um... yea.  I do." Steve sees Natasha's hesitation and decides not to push. "I..I have to go. I'll see you around?"

"Yea. You will." Steve smiles closing his door as Nat walks off. She walks the two feet to her door, adjacent to his before Steve flings his door open again.

"Natasha, wait."  He steps out facing the elevator, only to turn his head in surprise seeing her standing next-door with her small hand on the golden knob.

"Wait you live right here? I thought you just lived on a different floor."

"Oh yea, hey neighbor." She let out a small chuckle. "Told you. Small world."

"Yea I was um.. I was thinking that since we take the same train and what not. Maybe we could get some coffee in the morning."

"I uh I guess. I'll meet you downstairs."

"Ok is 7 good?"

"Its perfect."

"Alright see you then." He smiled watching her step inside her apartment, but it soon faded as realization kicked in. She was his neighbor. The neighbor. The same neighbor that constantly keeps him up all night. Natasha was the woman who was constantly being hurt right next door. Shit....things just got a lot more complicated.